Pierce County Divorce Records

Pierce County divorce records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Blackshear and include all divorce cases filed in the county, from the initial petition through the entry of the final decree. This page explains how to search Pierce County divorce records, request copies, understand what each type of record contains, and find legal assistance if your case needs it.

Where to Get Pierce County Divorce Records

The Pierce County Superior Court Clerk in Blackshear is the keeper of all divorce records filed in the county. The office is at 5120 East Main Street, Blackshear, GA 31516. The phone number is (912) 449-2020. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All certified copy requests, case file access, and mail-in records requests for Pierce County divorce records are handled through this office.

Pierce County divorce records are public records under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Any member of the public can request access to completed divorce files in Pierce County. Court-sealed records are not available to the public, but those are rare. The clerk will tell you if a record is sealed when you ask.

Blackshear is the county seat of Pierce County in southeast Georgia. When visiting the courthouse, bring a photo ID. Knowing the names of both parties or the approximate year the case was filed helps the clerk locate records more quickly.

The screenshot below is from the Pierce County government website, the official portal for county services and clerk information.

The site links to court services, contact information for county offices, and related resources for Pierce County residents.

Searching Pierce County Divorce Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org is the main online tool for searching Pierce County divorce records. GSCCCA maintains a statewide civil filings index that covers divorces filed in most Georgia counties, including Pierce. Basic searches by party name or case number are free. This platform lets you confirm that a case exists and get the docket number before submitting a copy request to the clerk.

Georgia Courts E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides case status and basic docket information for many Superior Court cases statewide. It is a useful cross-reference tool. Neither GSCCCA nor E-Access provides the full case file or certified copies. For those, you must go through the Pierce County clerk's office directly, either in person, by phone, or by mail.

If an online search doesn't return the case you need, the record may predate the county's switch to electronic filing. Pierce County is a smaller, rural county and some older records exist only in paper form at the courthouse. Call the clerk at (912) 449-2020 to ask about manual record lookup for older cases.

Note: Always search under both party names when using GSCCCA. Divorce cases are indexed under the petitioner and the respondent, so using only one name may cause you to miss the record entirely.

Pierce County Divorce Filing Requirements

Pierce County divorce cases are filed at the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Blackshear. Georgia requires that at least one spouse have lived in the state for six months before a divorce case can be filed, as stated in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The case is normally filed in the county where the defendant resides. If the defendant does not live in Georgia, the plaintiff can file in their own county.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce. Irretrievable breakdown is by far the most common choice. It requires no finding of fault on either side. After service on the defendant, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can issue a final decree. Uncontested cases where both parties agree on all issues can move through quickly after that window closes. Contested cases take more time depending on the nature and number of disputes.

Free, state-approved divorce forms can be found at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. The forms cover uncontested cases with and without minor children. Court staff can direct you to the right form but cannot give legal advice on how to complete it or what it means for your case.

Copy Fees for Pierce County Divorce Records

The Pierce County Superior Court Clerk charges fees for divorce record copies. The fee varies based on the type of copy and the page count. Certified copies are required for official legal purposes, such as remarriage, immigration applications, or court filings. Uncertified copies are acceptable for personal reference but are not recognized as official documents by most government agencies or courts.

For divorces from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia DPH provides a statewide verification for $10 per request. Submit requests at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The DPH verification is a summary only and does not include the terms of the court order. For the full record, request a certified decree copy from the Pierce County clerk. Always call ahead to confirm current fee amounts before mailing a request.

Legal Resources in Pierce County

Pierce County residents who need legal assistance with divorce can access free services through Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org. Georgia Legal Aid serves low-income residents statewide on civil matters including family law and uncontested divorce. Check their site for eligibility criteria and how to apply for help.

For those who want to file without a lawyer, the Georgia Courts E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov has fillable, printable divorce forms with instructions. If your case is contested or involves children, property, or support, a private family law attorney is the better option. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can help you find a local attorney at an initial consultation fee that is typically affordable.

Note: Pierce County is in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit. Judges in the circuit rotate through several counties, so court dates in Blackshear depend on the circuit schedule. Confirm hearing availability with the clerk's office when you file.

Divorce Decrees Compared to State Records

There is an important difference between a divorce decree and a state-level divorce verification. The decree is the official court order from the Pierce County Superior Court. It contains every term the judge ordered: how property was divided, custody and support arrangements for children, alimony terms, and any name restoration. Certified copies come from the clerk's office and carry the court's official seal. This document is the binding legal record of the divorce.

A state-level verification is maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health and covers divorces statewide from 1952 through 1996. It confirms the event and provides basic identifying details. It does not show terms, property orders, custody arrangements, or anything from the actual divorce order. If you need the record for a legal proceeding, to enforce an order, or to show the specific terms of the divorce, only the certified decree from the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk will serve that purpose. Use dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords for DPH verification requests.

Nearby Counties

Pierce County is in southeast Georgia and is surrounded by counties that each have their own Superior Court divorce record systems.